Ballet troupe debuts adaptation of classic love story

Two more performances of the new production will take place at the Shanghai International Dance Center on Nov 29 and Dec 1. The ballet is also scheduled to tour Australia in April before its appearance at the National Center for Performing Arts in Beijing in June. There will be 30 shows staged during its global tour.

"We will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Shanghai Ballet next year. We hope Camellias will be a new addition to our repertoire, which represents the artistry and professional level of a company in the global dance community," says Xin.

Playing the lead role of Marguerite, a courtesan who falls in love with Armand, a young bourgeois, Qi says preparation for the role proved challenging.

"I put a lot of effort into relating to the character. There is so much going on in her mind that it was difficult for me to catch. I tried to understand her better by reading the book and watching film adaptations," says the 23-year-old.

On the other hand, Wu Husheng, the lead dancer with the Shanghai Ballet who played Armand, says playing the role was an enjoyable and relaxing experience.